A NEW nature, health and wellbeing minibus has been officially launched to support and improve community transport provision, helping isolated people in rural south Somerset.
WATCH CIO, a mental health charity based in Chard, unveiled their new minibus at the launch held on Wednesday, 23 September, 2026 at Gillingham Grange Care Home. More than thirty supporters and donators of the minibus attended the event, including representatives from the Blackdown Hills Nature Connection Network, the Carers’ Group, Inner Wheel, Somerset Council, and local farmers.
Since December, the charity has fundraised more than £18,500 – including a generous grant from the Clothworkers Foundation, along with individual donations – to purchase the nine-seater vehicle, which will improve accessibility for members of Watch CIO and other community groups.
Speaking at the event, Julie Matthews BEM, CEO of Watch CIO, said: “For many years now, our members, staff and volunteers have faced endless difficulties with transport. Following our successful application to the Clothworkers Foundation, and the generosity of the community, we were able to purchase the minibus – a resource we see as the first link to help isolated people, but also other community groups.”
Julie also thanked Gillingham Grange Care Home for their continuous support and servicing of the minibus: “We see the relationship with Gillingham as a crucial link to enable other community groups to have access to the minibus, which will help break down some of the transport barriers we face in Chard and the wider rural area.”
Speaking at the event, Amanda Whyte, Manager of Gillingham Grange Care Home, said: “Today is a particularly special occasion as we celebrate the launch of this wonderful new minibus. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it has been funded entirely through donations and fundraising efforts. We know that many people across Chard will benefit from it, including our own residents, and over the past year we have raised £373 for the Watch Project.”
The name of the minibus – Bertie – was also unveiled at the event, with a luxury hamper won by Amanda Whyte, chosen at random from the entrants of the ‘Name the Bus’ competition.
To find out more about how to book the minibus as a community resource, contact Watch CIO on 07907 506314 or email info@watchproject.org.uk. A dedicated minibus webpage is also being developed at: www.watchproject.org.uk/minibus
